The Port of Rotterdam Authority (PoR) has said it is confident with the current tempo of decision making on its Maasvlakte 2 mega-project. While PoR is confident environmental groups attempting to scupper the project will not win, opposition could interfere with the project's schedule.

The huge Maasvlakte 2 project will involve land reclamation and expansion of the port's facilities.  On the proposed 1,000 hectare site, APM Terminals has already committed to leasing a 167 hectare site for a new container terminal with a potential handling capacity of 4.5 million twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs).  

In addition, final proposal submissions under an Open Assessment Procedure for another container terminal at Maasvlakte 2 are due at the end of this month, with the authority expected to sign a contract with the winner in mid-2007.

The Lower House must approve the Key Physical Planning Decision (PKB) before the Port Authority, municipality, province and State can take the subsequent steps. These involve the concession for construction of the land reclamation, procedures in connection with the compensation to nature, drafting and modifying allocation plans, licences for sand dredging, etc.

Port authority officials expressed their optimism over a positive decision from the Lower House.

"The Port of Rotterdam Authority endorses the position adopted by Ministers Peijs and Dekker in the Ministerial Letter of 5 September relating to the Rotterdam Mainport Development Project: there is every reason for the Lower House to give the go-ahead, this autumn, for the construction of Maasvlakte 2," PoR said in a statement referring to the PKB.

Despite optimism from PoR, a Dutch environmental group has threatened to take the matter to the Dutch supreme court if ministers give their approval.

Milieudefensie, the Dutch arm of Friends of the Earth claims that under Dutch law, such a project cannot go ahead when it is known that it will add to pollution, and that port expansion will not fulfil international emissions targets.

Commenting on the opposition, PoR spokesman, Sjaak Poppe told Portworld: "Considering the opposition Milieudefensie announced: we have always known that at any moment an individual or organisation could protest and go to court. We are convinced that everything that has to be studied has been studied and that every measure has been taken to make sure the plans can stand the test of criticism, so that any possible opponents won't stand a chance if they decide to go to court."

Legal opposition, however, could delay the project's timetable, a scenario PoR is keen to avoid.

"If we want to retain our international competitive position, Maasvlakte 2 will have to be ready to take the first ships in 2013. Until then, the existing port can cope with the growth. If 2013 is to be feasible, construction must start in 2008. The next two years will be needed to complete all the legal procedures and to allow the contractor to make his preparations," said PoR CEO, Hans Smits.

It emerged yesterday that Parliament will discuss the project October 2. Poppe added that "it is expected to decide to give a 'go'."